Three people have been arrested on numerous animal cruelty charges in connection with a home in Cheshire where nearly 20 cats and a dog were seized last month.
Jennifer Guest, 42, Nancy Guest, 71, and Philip Guest, 74, turned themselves in on Wednesday in connection with warrants out for their arrest, according to Lt. Jeffrey Sutherland of the Cheshire Police Department. They each face 19 counts of animal cruelty.
Sutherland said the charges stem from an animal “hoarding/cruelty” complaint authorities began investigating on June 17 at a home on Cook Hill Road. The complaint alleged that numerous cats and possibly other animals were in the home in poor living conditions and were not receiving proper grooming or hygiene, according to Sutherland.
Cheshire Animal Control officers had no luck getting in contact with the residents of the home to inspect the conditions, so the investigation was turned over to police detectives. According to Sutherland, detectives received “limited cooperation” from the residents of the home.
Investigators later obtained a warrant to search the residence, which was carried out on Aug. 1 by detectives and animal control officers as well as local and state health department officials. Crews with the Cheshire Fire Department also assisted.
During the search, which involved officials leaving traps for some of the animals, a total of 18 cats and one dog were seized, Sutherland said. Other items were also seized from the home, though Sutherland did not say what they were.
Authorities later obtained arrest warrants for all three suspects.
Sutherland said all three suspects were released on bond and are scheduled to appear in Meriden Superior Court on Sept. 24.
